Have you been told you need to practice some “self-care”? Not sure what that means? Try it here!
“Self-care” can seem overwhelming can’t it? Who has time for self-care anyways? Why is everyone telling me to relax? Taking care of yourself is not about expensive massages and time consuming seminars and obsession with healthy everything, it’s about finding ways to nourish yourself. Check out these 8 simple options to care for yourself in a simple, cost effective, and easy way! Maybe one of them will resonate with you, and if it doesn’t, that’s okay too.
1. Spend the first minute of the day on gratitude
As soon as you wake up; reflect on something in your life you are grateful for as a way of starting the day with balance and perspective. Come back to this gratitude reflection when you are overwhelmed to remind you of what matters most.
2. Drink one glass of water as soon as you get out of bed
Water will fire up your digestive system and metabolism and get your bowels flowing. It also gets you in the habit of drinking more water throughout the day.
3. Finish your showers with 15-30 seconds of cold water
Cold water at the end of a shower can improve immune function and circulation, while also energizing the body and mind.
4. Practice intermittent fasting
Eating should take place in an 8-hour window, with the remaining 16 hours of the day fasting. For example, if you finish eating at 8pm you should not eat your next meal until 12pm the following day. This fasting technique can help you burn fat, lower insulin levels, reduce inflammation, and alleviate cellular stress on your body. It’s a very simple strategy to see fantastic metabolic outcomes. You may have water, black tea, and black coffee while fasting.
5. Treat yourself daily
Self-care is the most important thing you can offer yourself. Self-care is any activity that makes you feel sweet (but doesn’t include food!) Activities like: exercising, bubble baths, reading, music, napping, drinking tea, surrounding yourself with people you love etc.
6. Make your bedroom an electronic free space
When electronics are in your room you are more likely to use them right before going to bed. The blue light they emit interferes with melatonin production and prevents sleep initiation ad maintenance.
7. Commit to a bedtime routine
It is ideal to go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning at the same time everyday. This routine is critical for your adrenal function and will help you cope with physical and mental stress.
8. Spend the last minute of the day on calmness
Meditation, breathing exercises, body scans, and yoga poses are all ways of encouraging your body and mind to find closure for the day and prepare for restful sleep. Meditation is an opportunity for you to clear the day’s events away and make space for the next. Take a few moments to bring calmness to the mind before trying to sleep.
